Konosuke tossed one end of the rope to the ANBU, brushed imaginary dust off his hands, and strolled toward the Hokage Tower.
When he entered the Hokage's office, Danzo was already there—face darker than a thundercloud, as if someone owed him a lifetime's debt.
Konosuke didn't spare him a glance.
He walked straight to Hiruzen Sarutobi's side, expertly packed tobacco into the pipe, and handed it over.
Hiruzen looked at him, then accepted it.
After lighting the pipe for the Hokage, Konosuke lit a cigarette for himself and took a slow drag.
"Enough!"
Danzo suddenly barked.
Konosuke flinched, dropping his cigarette.
Picking it up from the floor, he shot Danzo an icy look.
"What the hell are you yelling for? You think this is your little Root basement? Save the barking."
Silence fell over the office.
Both Hiruzen and Danzo stared at him.
Danzo hadn't expected to be cursed at.
Hiruzen hadn't expected his clansman to be this bold.
Seeing the venom in Danzo's single eye only made Konosuke angrier. He pointed straight at him.
"And don't glare at me with that one eye. Keep it up and I'll make you cross-eyed instead of one-eyed."
Hiruzen coughed loudly, trying to ease the tension.
"Konosuke! Mind your tone when addressing the Hokage's advisor. You're becoming unruly. Go home. I'll speak with you tomorrow."
Danzo seized the moment.
"Hiruzen, you indulge him too much! This isn't just disrespect—he shows signs of treason. He should be detained and handed over to me for—"
"You ever been kicked at the speed of light, Danzo?"
A mocking voice cut him off.
Boom.
A heavy impact echoed through the office—
Only for Hiruzen's aged but steady hand to intercept Konosuke's leg mid-strike.
Konosuke tilted his head with a grin.
"Old man, not bad. I was about to end him. Didn't expect you to step in."
Hiruzen released his leg, face stiff.
He had felt the power behind that kick.
If he hadn't blocked it, Danzo might truly have met his ancestors.
Inside, Hiruzen was thrilled—his clan had produced a genuine prodigy.
Outwardly, he was furious.
"Konosuke! You dare attack Konoha's leadership inside my office? Do you even acknowledge me as Hokage?"
"No."
Hiruzen froze.
He had offered a way out—Konosuke refused it outright.
Then Konosuke continued calmly,
"Hokage-sama, my respect for you is in my heart. Not in my eyes. Not in my mouth. That's real respect."
Hiruzen's anger dissipated instantly.
Meanwhile, Danzo roared again,
"Konosuke! You dare strike me? This is treason! I will—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Konosuke's finger was pointed at him, glowing ominously.
Danzo knew the story.
He had heard about the laser in the training grounds—
Small Tailed Beast Bomb-level power.
He had no confidence in surviving that.
And certain forbidden techniques were unusable in front of Hiruzen.
Seeing him fall silent, Konosuke lowered his hand.
"Danzo, I never bothered with you before. You stayed out of my way. But now you dare target me?"
"You sent people to spy on me. Who gave you that courage? That grotesque right arm? Or the eye hidden under your bandages?"
"Come on. Show me. Let's test it. If I don't beat you into paste, call me generous."
The façade was gone now.
No reason to pretend.
"Scared?" Konosuke flicked half his cigarette at Danzo's feet. "Want me to handicap myself? One hand? Two? I'll even give you a leg."
Hiruzen's voice cut in sharply.
"Konosuke. What did you mean about his right arm and eye?"
Konosuke didn't answer immediately.
He lit another cigarette.
Not out of habit—
But to buy time.
Danzo staggered back slightly, stunned.
How could this brat know?
After two drags, Konosuke spoke evenly.
"When I awakened my ability, I gained an additional sense."
"It's different from standard sensory ninjas. I can perceive physical conditions."
"I've encountered the Hokage's advisor a few times. Each time, his hostility toward me was intense. So I examined him."
"His right eye is intact. His arm carries a domineering yet dark aura."
"That's all."
Hiruzen's gaze shifted between them.
Finally, he said quietly,
"Konosuke, go home. Today ends here. Danzo will not trouble you again."
Konosuke didn't argue.
As he passed Danzo, he said lightly,
"A man without a foundation daring to covet the Hokage seat. Know your limits."
"If I wanted that position, I'd challenge the old man head-on. You? You don't even have the courage for a direct fight. Only schemes."
"The Second Hokage judged well. If you had become Hokage, Konoha might already be dust."
"Enough!" Hiruzen snapped, seeing Danzo's expression darken dangerously.
Konosuke shrugged.
At the doorway, he paused.
"Final warning, Danzo. Don't provoke me. Even the old man won't save you."
"And pray he lives long. The moment he's gone, every clan in Konoha will carve you up for what you've done."
Then he left.